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Tuesday, December 21, 2010

When you are considering your New Year's resolutions, it might be helpful to think about your mentee. This can be a fun activity: create your New Years resolutions together. Pick a few that you can each support each other in and get going!

Along those lines, I read this article this morning, and though it was geared towards parents, I think that many of the points made are applicable to you as mentors. It's taken and adapted from Family Circle magazine. They look like common sense, but they can be difficult at times. Just do your best, that is all we can ask for.

I will always care for my mentee for who they are — not who I want them to be.

I will give my mentee space to grow, to dream, to succeed and even to fail. Without that space, no growth can occur.

When discipline is necessary, I will let my mentee know that I disapprove of what they have done, not who they are. It’s a very important distinction.

I will set limits and help my mentee find security in the knowledge of what is expected of them. They will not have to guess what is right or wrong.

I will not burden my mentee with emotions and problems they are not equipped to deal with.

I will encourage my mentee to experience the world and all of its possibilities, taking pains to leave them careful but not fearful.

I will try to be the kind of person I want my mentee to be: loving, fair-minded, giving and hopeful.

Many happy, warm wishes to you and your families this winter. Let the rain be a reminder of renewal and refreshment as we journey into the new year.

Thank you for being wonderful mentors. With love from all of us here in the Mentor Program.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Jack GrabmanJack and his mentee have shared many experiences together over the past 2 1/2 years. One of their favorite activities is fishing, which provides a chance for Jack to have good conversation with his mentee. They also go on bike rides, to car shows, and numerous Mentor program activities. Jack is always looking out for his mentee's best interest, encouraging him to do well in school and explore career options. He's taken him to his workplace and engaged him in learning new musical instruments.

Jack's mentee was unfocused, had low self-esteem, and was on the shy side when he was referred by his teacher. Now, he is well known at his school, has a desire to succeed, and has found confidence in his abilities. Jack has developed a friendship with his mentee's entire family and is always engaged in helping make sure his mentee continues in the right direction. Jack, thank you for always being by his side and supporting him every step of the way, even when times are rough and the future unsure. You are wonderful!!

Lisa GosdschanAlthough Lisa and her mentee have only been together a year, it seems like they have become family. Her mentee was referred to us because she needed guidance, direction, a healthy purpose in life. Lisa devotes several hours each day to making sure her mentee arrives at school on time, has food, clothing without holes, and has her hair combed and is ready to face the day. Lisa provides the support, care, and attention that every child dreams about.

Lisa not only meets with her mentee's teachers to check in about extra assignments that they can do together, she volunteers in the classroom and with the United Boys & Girls Club. She has opened up the eyes of her mentee by taking her to volunteer to help those even less fortunate. Together, they prepare meals and organize supplies. Lisa teaches her mentee valuable lessons every time they meet, whether that is to help her in the classroom or in the real world. She spends no less than 20 hours a month with her, but we know you can't place a number on their relationship.

Furthermore, Lisa helps us with almost every family event, comes into the office to help the staff, and is a great sounding board for idea development. Lisa, thank you for all of your contributions to this program, especially to your mentee's life. You go above and beyond.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Jai RanganathanJai and his mentee have been meeting for about 2 and a half years. Throughout this time, Jai has been a tremendous asset in his mentee's life. He started with a kid who was easily distracted, extremely behind academically, and had little ability to catch up to speed. Although he had a little motivation, he didn't know how to get himself caught up with the other students in his class. Jai felt that the "school system [was] not structured to deal with students as far behind as [his mentee], so he has been shuffled along." He was roughly 3 grade levels behind (after being held back a grade). Jai made arrangements to meet with his parents to discuss the possiblity of getting extra help for both his mentee and his mentee's twin brother.

Over the next year, Jai and his mentee read together, book after book, picking out ones that were of interest (not school books). His mentee started reading on his own, and surely enough, he caught up to grade level.

Jai could have easily given up hope that his mentee would never catch up to his classmates, but he didn't. He could have just played Frisbee with him and taken him places, because that's what was easiest, and that's what was most enjoyable for them both. But they persevered, and their friendship is stronger because of this. They never stopped having fun, but Jai found a way to engage his mentee in academics and made it enjoyable for him. Jai has also started to take his twin under his wing, bringing him to Program activities and engaging him in meaningful adventures, including a private 5-hour tour with the a police officer. This is a profession that both boys were interested in for their futures.

Jai is encouraged by the progress that has been made with his mentee, and shared his passion for mentoring with friends, who have requested more information about mentoring. One has even begun with a mentee herself! Thank you Jai! We are honored to acknowledge you as our October mentor of the month!

Cody CammbellCody and her mentee have developed a strong relationship over the past 3 years. Cody helped her tackle the transition from junior high to high school with relative ease. Along with improving her grades, Cody has encouraged prioritizing and organization. Although it can still be a struggle, her mentee understands the importance of keeping up her grades so that she can go to college and become involved with law enforcement.

Cody has expanded her mentee's creative side by engaging her in activities that she may not have discovered on her own. Together they have done pottery, scrapbooking, and mosaic, just to name a few. Her mentee has said that she has loved doing activities with Cody, especially the ones she's never tried before. She appreciates how positive Cody is and how much fun it is to be with her.

Her mentee was a shy girl who often had opinions that were different than her friends'. Cody has helped her find her voice so that she is able to keep her friends close even when she doesn't agree with what they say. Her mentee has found an avenue to become a part of something larger than herself, a way to give back to her community and voice her opinion. She is now a part of the Youth Coalition, overseen by the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. Even though the group has only been together for a couple of months, Cody's mentee has made great strides. She has chosen to be a leader and has already co-presented the findings from the 2009 Community Indicator Report to the School Board.

Cody has noticed her mentee's improved relationships with adults, utilization of community resources, and participation in activities outside of school. We are so proud of you, Cody, and all that you have done to encourage your mentee along the right track towards a bright future! Thank you!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

October 24th to November 11th are World Origami Days. Origami is a traditional Japanese folk art, and means "paper folding". This could be a fun activity to do with your mentee. Using recycled paper, construct one of the more popular origami, the crane, which has come to be a symbol of peace in Japan. See the template below.

What symbolizes peace for you? What about for your mentee? Do they think that peace is something that exists in their world? Or do they feel that they live in a world full of chaos? Another art project idea: each of you draw a picture of the internationally recognized peace symbol. Around it, write out the things that make you feel at peace. Use color and pictures to symbolize what peace means to you.

For a history lesson on peace symbols, click here. Some interesting things!!

"Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

It's never too early to talk about higher education and presenting it as an attainable opportunity for your mentee. There are opportunities to earn savings bonds as early as Kindergarten!! Click on the links below for more information on ideas and opportunities:

Due by Wednesday, September 29th - CADA poster contest (Click the image below to enlarge)

Once your mentee is in Middle School, it'd be a good idea to utilize this website: Know How 2 GoThey can sign up for a newsletter to learn about tips and steps to take to go to college.You can learn, as a mentor, how to help prepare them for college, and there are specific areas designed to help middle school, freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and senior students take the right steps."Education is the ability to meet life's situations." ~ Dr. John G. Hibben

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Shereen KhatapoushShereen and her mentee have been together for about 2 and a half years. Academically, her mentee struggles with math, so Shereen took it upon her to find tutoring services and other after school help. Together, they work through the tough problems, sometimes getting frustrated, but never giving up.

Her mentee was referred not only for her academic struggles, but also for behavioral issues, social skills, peer relations, and self-esteem. With all this in mind, Shereen could have felt overwhelmed from the beginning, and could have given up when she saw little progress in the first 6 months. But she didn’t. She continued to prove to this little girl that she mattered in this world and that she could accomplish anything she set her mind to. Her mentee finally came to understand that Shereen in fact, was there to support and encourage her. Her home life had not always taught her that, as her parents were often occupied with other difficulties.

Now, Shereen’s mentee says that Shereen is like a sister to her, she loves playing with her, and has a lot of fun with her. Shereen has helped her be “more happy”, and has helped her develop skills both in and out of the classroom. In the same light, Shereen has described her time mentoring as the “highlight of her day, and often the highlight of her week.”

Shereen also extends her learning by attending on-going mentor trainings and program activities. She has also volunteered to help further by joining a fundraising committee as a part of the “Taking Kids Off the Fence” campaign.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Technology and MentoringDo you ever feel like you just can't connect with your mentee? Well, technology can be a great way to do so, especially when you can't see them every week, let alone every day. It can give your mentee the opportunity to connect with you when you're not there in person. And, let's face it. Our youth are more communicative on their public web profiles about what's going on in their lives than they are when you sit across from them and point blank ask them.

Now, I'm not saying that you should search through every bit of their profile to find out what's going on, but they may feel less threatened when you ask them a serious question online or through text. You can also leave on the note, "We can talk more about this when I see you on Thursday, okay?"

There are a lot of different things nowadays that teens and even pre-teens are using. If you aren't familiar with some of the ones listed below, feel free to ask your mentee for a walk through. You would be amazed and how much they know about each of the sites and the details that they understand. This could be a great opportunity for you to acknowledge what they know and even ask them if this is something they have ever considered as a career. There are jobs that pay you to be on social media sites and monitor them! They can even tell you what they don't like about the site(s) they use, and you can write a letter together to those who manage the sites and provide your feedback.

Users can post links to top news stories or "digg" (vote) them to the top.

Mentor tip: Log on with them and check out the top stories. Sometimes they are truly bizarre and can start a great conversation.iTunes <--music and other media downloadMentor tip: Look at the top downloads; they'll often be the most popular songs that are listened to by youthFacebook <--social networkingMentor tip: There is a "chat" option which allows you to instantly message anyone who is online. It's an online version of sending texts. This gives your mentee the opportunity to talk with you about anything at any time.Flickr & Picasa <-- photo sharing

Mentor tip: Upload your pictures you take on your outings together and give your mentee the link so they can download your shared memories.

MySpace <--social networkingMentor tip: This is used more by junior high & high school students than Facebook, and sometimes even elementary students, even though you must be 13 or older to have a page.

Like Twitter in that you can post quick thoughts, but also give you the chance to blog full stories and post pictures.Twitter <--"mini blogging"Mentor Tip: "Follow" your mentee to see their quick, one line thoughts. These are often impulsive so they give you a good view into what's going on.YouTube <-- video sharingMentor tip: Ask your mentee to show you their favorite videos. They may not be entertaining for you, but it can give you an idea about what it is that they find entertaining.Click Here for a more complete list of social media sites. There's everything from gaming sites to blogging to music sharing.

Now some of you may think that promoting use of techonology to communicate is a backwards step in your mentorship and promoting healthy communication skills, but the way I look at it is that if you open yourself up to communicating on their level, they will be more likely to communicate on a more professional level in the future. You can talk about the benefits and downfalls of each type of communication. Clearly, texting lingo is different from the language used in most professional settings, but it gets their message across to their friends in a way that they can relate, thus building their peer social skills. Don't worry; they'll get older and hopefully mature with their texts. And with phones like the iPhone, words often self-correct with Auto Correct. For example, "ive" would change to "I've". So have fun with it for a little while and see how it goes.

Monday, August 23, 2010

There is so much that they are going to be experiencing this year, new and old. Anxieties, fears, new friends, maybe even new schools. Even if they say they're not excited to go back to class, every kid has some part of them that is happy to be back. They have a schedule, structure, somewhere to be every day. All of their friends are back in one place, and they probably have new clothes to show off. At the very least, most of our kids are glad to be in a safe place for the majority of their day.

All that said, don't be surprised if they tell you that everything's "fine" when you ask about the first days of school. It's almost expected. So think of a different question. Maybe something like, "What was the first thing that made you smile?" or "Who had the coolest haircut?" or "Who were you most excited to see after the summer break?" If you try and narrow on one thing in particular, they have to think about it a little harder. It also shows that you really do care about their first days of school...and, achem, them!!

The beginning of school also means that Computers For Families will be distributing computers through the local schools. If you think your mentee would benefit from having a computer in their home, check out the CALENDAR to see when they'll be at or near their school. Call Kristine Mainland-White at (805) 964-4711x5400 for more details or speak with your case manager. Computers are typically for elementary grades, but if you have a middle school mentee who you feel needs a computer in their home, feel free to call Kristine to talk with her about the options.

Don't forget that Teresa and Juliana are here for you as your case manager. If you need help re-connecting with your mentee after the summer, please ask us! We are happy to attend your "first" school session with you, especially if you started meeting with your mentee this past summer and are unsure about how to transition.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Marcia has been mentoring her mentee for almost 3 years and has seen her through many experiences. Marcia was able to communicate easily with the shy 5th grade student during their first few meetings and their relationship has grown stronger ever since. Her mentee was referred as a daughter of a single mom with 1 brother and 3 sisters who desired individualized attention and new experiences. Her teacher even stated that a mentor who opened up "new worlds" would be desirable. Marcia has proven to do all these things and more and provides her a strong support system no matter what the circumstances. Her mentee's attendance record was another reason for referral, and since Marcia has stepped in and helped her with her organization, the number of tardies and absences has significantly decreased.

Her mentee aspires to be a veterinarian, so together they venture to the zoo and butterfly preserve amongst other animal-inspired locations. Marcia encourages her mentee to explore her creativity through a love of art and together they make gifts at 2000 degrees for many occasions. Her mentee's mom has seen the value in their friendship and is very supportive of all that Marcia does to encourage her daughter in her growth and development.

Marcia, thank you for all that you do with your mentee, and we are excited to watch your relationship grow over the coming years.

It's that time of year again to look up to the skies in the late night hours to view the spectacular showing of the Perseids. This Thursday, from 10 pm to dawn, you can watch the meteors go by during the peak of the shower. Best viewing times will be the hours right before dawn, as NASA states, "dozens of Perseids will be seen per hour."

Try and get to the high spots around Santa Barbara, away from street lights, as the less light that interferes, the better the show!!

If you want to know more about stargazing and constellations, you can also contact El Capitán State Beach about Astronomer-led stargazing with telescopes that occur once a month beginning in May each year. They can be reached at (805) 968-1033. You can also go up to Westmont College every 3rd Friday of the month for a free public tour of the observatory & Keck telescope. Click here for a great sky map for August, or here for the website, which updates the maps every month. Just scroll down about halfway and click on the link for the PDF download in whichever language you'd prefer.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Yesterday's Final resulted in the first World Cup Title won by Spain, and would have been the first for the Netherlands. Although I personally was rooting for the Dutchies, the Spaniards, in my opinion, deserved the win, as they played a better game overall. I can also be proud for the Spaniards because 4th place was the furthest they had ever progressed...and that was in 1950. This was a BIG first for them, and a proud moment for their country.

What is the first memory your mentee has? What about you? When was the first time you were proud of them? When was the first time they were proud of themselves? Talk about other firsts. Maybe the first time they got into a fight with their best friend. Or about the time they first tried Sushi. Or the first time they rode a bike. You can even talk about the first time they felt pressured to try beer or smoke. What did they do? What did you do when that happened to you as a teen?

Friday, July 9, 2010

Kathy has been a mentor for the past two years. She has been a tremendous influence in her mentee's life. She consistently encourages her to be confident in herself and has helped her develop both her self-esteem and organizational skills. Her mentee states that "life is more fun," and that Kathy has taught her to "be more organized." Kathy makes sure that they work on homework together twice a week during the school year, as she wants to stress the importance of an education. Beyond the academics, they have shared many experiences, from cooking to gardening, swimming to bowling; she even took Jeni on her first train ride! They have also brainstormed how to help support the Mentor Program :) Additionally, they have & continue to collaborate with other mentors and mentees to do group activities!

Through all that they have done, Kathy and her mentee have grown into quite the pair. Her mentee even inspired Kathy to teach in the special education program at the local high school so that she could further reach out to kids who need an extra hand. Still, Kathy devotes on average, over 20 hours a month to her mentee. Kathy consistently has a positive attitude and shares her smile with all those around her. She is full of life and wonder, and we are honored to acknowledge her! Thank you so much Kathy for doing what you do, and for sharing your heart with such a deserving young girl.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Inspired by our national celebration of Independence, talk about what FREEDOM means with your mentee. And yes, you can discuss the historical importance of freedom to our country, but I also encourage you to talk about what it means to them, in their life. Do they feel like they have freedom in their home? How about in their school? What would freedom look like to them if they felt that they didn't have it? Do they think they have limited freedom for a good reason? Do they think that you give them freedom of speech, at the very least? What other types of freedom could you work on together? What kind of freedom is your mentee willing to give you?

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Come out and join us as the SB Foresters play the Santa Maria Packers! It’ll be a great day for some hometown baseball! Mentor Program members, family & friends will get to go for FREE! Just click on the picture and print it out to bring with you to the game! You will have to pay for parking. Also, come early to watch one of our mentees throw the first pitch and get some good deals on food!

Bring your lunch & picnic blankets/towels and come out to play! We’ll play some fun games and enjoy one of Santa Barbara’s beautiful attractions. We'll have hula hoops, jump ropes, Frisbees, and Velcro catch, so feel free to bring whatever else you want!

We’ll be getting a docent lead tour of one of America’s biggest collections of Carriages from “yesteryear”. There’s also a façade of a Western town that we will get to enjoy amongst many other things!

FRENCH FESTIVALSaturday, July 17th12 noon to 1:30 pmOak ParkRSVP by Thursday, July 15th @ 5 PM!

The acts are not posted quite yet, but the French festival is sure to be a great time! We may change the time if there is a particular event that we think would be great to see, but for right now, we’ll go with this!For more information, see: www.frenchfestival.com

SB FARMER’S MARKETTuesday, July 20th5 to 6 pmMeet at State St. & Ortega in front of the Verizon storeLimited to 5 mentor/ mentee pairsRSVP by Thursday, July 15th @ 5 pm!

Bring your re-usable bag, as each mentee will receive $10 in Farmer’s Market coins to use on fresh produce at the Downtown Farmer’s Market, which is why we have to limit the number of people. If we are booked and you still wish to come, you can, but we won’t have any more tokens to give you! Sorry!We’ll take a tour of the market, get yummy samples, and enjoy a (hopefully) sunny stroll.

In preparation for the Cascarone making, start saving your egg shells and colorful scrap paper. When breaking the eggs, try to break them towards one end, and not break them in the middle. We’ll take the easy route and tape over the hole, but the smaller, the better (so long as we can get confetti in there!)!!You can help preserve the shell by washing it out with soap and/or vinegar and water and letting them dry completely.We’ll get together for some afternoon fun and use the recycled colored paper and other materials from our older art projects to decorate and fill these eggs in preparation for the Fiesta festivities that begin on August 4th!

COMMUNITY EVENTSFREE concerts @ Chase Palm ParkThursdays: July 1st through August 19th6 to 8:30 pmVisit the website for more info & concert schedule

Monday, June 28, 2010

Looking at the worldLiterally. Take a look at our world. It's massive. There are billions of people populating our planet. What do you/your mentee think makes it special? Why are differences good? Would it be easier if everyone was the same? Why can differences be detrimental?

What does your mentee appreciate about what the world has to offer to them? Where would they live if they could live anywhere? (Don't be surprised if they answer the country where their parents are from, as that may be the only country of which they know anything about.)

"The world is a playground, and life is pushing my swing." ~Natalie Kocsis

Monday, June 21, 2010

"A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way." ~Anonymous

You as a mentor are probably pretty aware of your student's family situation. They may or may not have a father actively involved in their lives. As yesterday was Father's Day, this would be a good thing to discuss with them this week. Find out how it was for them; it may be an eye-opening experience. Their father could be incarcerated. They may never have met their father. Maybe their father is there physically, but not emotionally or personally for them. Or maybe their father is the biggest hero in their life and they don't know how to show them. It may even be that you know and can see the love their father has for them but doesn't have the opportunity to prove it to them. Help your mentee learn to talk about this and their other familial relationships. Allow them a safe place and reassure them that whatever it is they share with you is kept confidential (exception of mandated reporting issues). Bring it out of them by shooting hoops together, or throwing a football, or putting a book together as a gift, and ask if this is something they would do with their father. There are many casual scenarios during which you can start this important conversation. Ask your case manager if you would like additional suggestions.

"Fathers have grown in many ways, children in only a few. And yet it is often hard to tell, just who is teaching who."

Monday, June 14, 2010

I promise I won't center all the topics around the World Cup, but if you happened to watch the England vs. USA game on Saturday, you watched as England's keeper allowed a ball to cross over the goal line. This probably topped the list in Rob Green's life of embarrassing moments.

What has been your most embarrassing moment? How did you recover from it? How about your mentee? Help remind them that we are only human. We falter sometimes, but what matters is how we handle the "after" portion. Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself :-p

Fortunately for England, the game ended in a tie. Fortunately for Rob Green as well.

Each of the kids will be getting their own camera (a disposable) and we will also develop the film for them and provide digital copies of their pictures on their very own DVD.The first session will be our photographer describing basic photography terms and talking about what it means to actually do intentional photography. She will also be bringing her digital camera and taking shots and showing the kids what she means and will encourage them to take particular pictures as well. The kids can create their own themes and take pictures. The kids may go through their whole film roll by the end of the session, in which case I will take them and get them developed by the following Tuesday. Once the pictures are developed, we will meet at the CADA office to look through the pictures and our photographer will go around and pick out some good things about the shots, or how to make them better the next time around. Then the kids can make their own scrapbook out of their pictures during the following session. It should be fun times.The Mentor Program will be supplying all materials for the pictures and scrapbooking, including an album that they can decorate, jewels, stickers, feathers, paper, etc. so the mentees can make each page their very own!That being said, the mentee should be able to attend all 3 sessions. If their mentor cannot come, they are welcome to attend with their parent or guardian.If you want to bring your digital camera, or if the kids have their own digital, that is fine too.

HIKE – Rattlesnake Trail: Friday, June 18th, 3:30 to 5 pmRSVP by Thursday, June 17th @ 5 pm!We’ll be embarking on our first hike up Rattlesnake Trail. This trail doesn't necessarilymean you will encounter a rattlesnake! That is just the name of the canyon. Onecanyon over from Tunnel Trail, this hike is also within 15 minutes of downtown. Thereis almost always plenty of water in the creek, and the trail is always shady, makingthis the most popular trail in Santa Barbara. It is also relatively easy compared to justabout all the other trails in the area. It is well-maintained, gentle, and there are nomountain bikes allowed. It’s 3.5 miles round trip, but we’ll only hike as far as timeallows!Click for Directions to Skofield ParkClick for Directions to Rattlesnake trailheadClick for more information about the hike

SUMMER SOLSTICE PARADE: Saturday, June 26th, 12 noonRSVP by Thursday, June 24th @ 5 pmWear your masks, costume jewelry, and bright colors as we head to State street to join in the festivities to watch the Summer Solstice Parade! I think we’ll try and watch on Micheltorena, towards the end of the parade route, then head over to Alameda Park to join in on the rest of the fun! For more details about the festival, see: www.solsticeparade.com

Monday, June 7, 2010

Okay, so this one may be a bit biased, but I can't help it! The 2010 World Cup kicks off at the end of this week in South Africa!!! So as much as I would like to be there for it, alas, I will be watching on a television when I can...

However, for the many of you that have mentees interested in soccer, it could be a good time to educate yourself a little bit about this event. So check out this website and make your picks: FIFA World Cup 2010

Here are some random facts that may be good too:

**It is the most popular sport in the WORLD (in both spectators & active participants), but is known as "Football" in most countries. Well, in English it's Football, but in Spanish, "fútbol", Dutch "voetbal", German"Fußball", Italian "calcio", Thai "ฟุตบอล", and well, you get the picture...

**The largest attendance for a soccer match ever was 199,854 people - Brazil v. Uruguay in the World Cup at the Maracana Municipal Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, July 1950.

**The international governing body of soccer is the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), based in Zurich, Switzerland.

So those are just a few basics...now you can research some more yourselves! Look into the matches, have a friendly competition with your mentee, see who comes out on top! The excitement has just begun ;)

Friday, June 4, 2010

We would like to congratulate Tony Lee for the month of May. Tony's mentee was referred for both academic and personal problems. He lacked an adult male in his life after whom he could model himself. He struggled to find positive ways to show and release emotional stress and anger.

These past two years have shown Tony how much of a difference he can make in the life of a child. His mentee has matured and formed a belief in himself and his future abilities. He strives to do well and has found a voice with which he can use to express himself. More recently, his mentee won an essay contest that allowed him to meet the Santa Barbara Chief of Police. Tony has encouraged his mentee's strengths and supported him every step of the way; his mentee is now ready to take the next step and progress into Junior High.

There are so many indescribable ways in which Tony has helped his mentee become the growing young man he is today, and we wish that we could share them all with you. Just know that he constantly strives to show his mentee that he can have a brighter future and for that, Tony, we greatly thank you!!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Every kid is looking forward to the time of year when they don't have to be sitting in a classroom. Make sure you take advantage of this time with your mentee and RELAX!! There are so many things that Santa Barbara has to offer to you this summer, so be sure to keep your eyes open! Find out what your mentee has planned and see if you can be involved in any of it. Many programs like Fun in the Sun will allow you to meet with your mentee at the school sites, if you still wish to see them and are not comfortable taking them anywhere. You can also check with the local Boys & Girls Club (www.boysgirls.org & www.unitedbg.org) (or have us check with them). Our mentees can have FREE memberships to those facilities, giving you both access to basketball courts, ping pong tables, music lessons, and the like.

For the Santa Barbara Public Library's Summer Reading Program (also good for the Carp and Goleta libraries), see: http://www.sbplibrary.org/kids/index.htmlThe kids can read for rewards...a good thing to do with them if you want to keep it a little educational!!

730 Miramonte Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93109RSVP by Monday, June 7th @ 5 pm!Join us as we venture to TV Hill for a tour of the KEYT station! Everyone will get an exclusive look behind the scenes of our local news station. We will get to see how news stories go from our streets straight to our living rooms. We will get to meet Alan Rose, chief meteorologist, and hopefully other local celebrities! It should be a great time.

Join us for a training led by Christy Haynes, Teen Services Coordinator for Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County. Christy has worked and advocated for teens in school and agency settings for the past 20 years, creating and implementing programs focusing on violence prevention, conflict resolution, anger management and personal development. She has worked with teens in junior high and high schools, Juvenile Hall, Probation, Community Counseling and Education Center, as national facilitator for The Joseph Matteucci Foundation, and as executive director of re:solutions. Christy received her Master’s Degree in Psychology in 1999 at Antioch University, Santa Barbara, with a special focus in Community Psychology.To learn more about DVS, you can look at their website:http://www.dvsolutions.org/default.aspx

PHOTOGRAPHY: Tuesdays, June 15th through June 29th, 3 to 5 pmLimited to 15 menteesRSVP no later than Wednesday, June 9th at 5 PM!1st session: Alameda Park (Kid's World) 2nd and 3rd sessions: CADA offices

These are new, but I’m excited about giving the kids the chance to do this! Each of the kids will be getting their own camera (a disposable) and we will also develop the film for them and provide digital copies of their pictures on their very own DVD.The first session will be our photographer describing basic photography terms and talking about what it means to actually do intentional photography. She will also be bringing her digital camera and taking shots and showing the kids what she means and will encourage them to take particular pictures as well. The kids can create their own themes and take pictures. The kids may go through their whole film roll by the end of the session, in which case I will take them and get them developed by the following Tuesday. Once the pictures are developed, we will meet at the CADA office to look through the pictures and our photographer will go around and pick out some good things about the shots, or how to make them better the next time around. Then the kids can make their own scrapbook out of their pictures during the following session. It should be fun times.The Mentor Program will be supplying all materials for the pictures and scrapbooking, including an album that they can decorate, jewels, stickers, feathers, paper, etc. so the mentees can make each page their very own!That being said, the mentee should be able to attend all 3 sessions. If their mentor cannot come, they are welcome to attend with their parent or guardian. If you want to bring your digital camera, or if the kids have their own digital, that is fine too.

Join us for an evening of craftiness as we make masks to celebrate the theme of the Solstice festival this year: Carnival! We will supply all materials, from the masks to feathers, glitter, paint, stickers, jewels, etc.

HIKE – Rattlesnake Trail: Friday, June 18th, 3:30 to 5 pmRSVP by Thursday, June 17th @ 5 pm!We’ll be embarking on our first hike up Rattlesnake Trail. This trail doesn't necessarily mean you will encounter a rattlesnake! That is just the name of the canyon. One canyon over from Tunnel Trail, this hike is also within 15 minutes of downtown. There is almost always plenty of water in the creek, and the trail is always shady, making this the most popular trail in Santa Barbara. It is also relatively easy compared to justabout all the other trails in the area. It is well-maintained, gentle, and there are no mountain bikes allowed. It’s 3.5 miles round trip, but we’ll only hike as far as time allows!

SUMMER SOLSTICE PARADE: Saturday, June 26th, 12 noonRSVP by Thursday, June 24th @ 5 pmWear your masks, costume jewelry, and bright colors as we head to State street to join in the festivities to watch the Summer Solstice Parade! I think we’ll try and watch on Micheltorena, towards the end of the parade route, then head over to Alameda Park to join in on the rest of the fun! For more details about the festival, see: www.solsticeparade.com

FORESTER ESSAY CONTESTDon’t forget about the essay writing contest for the Forester’s game!Topic: Why do YOU deserve to throw the first pitch at the SB Forester’s game? Submissions must be postmarked no later than Monday, June 21st in order to be considered. Entries can also be submitted by fax to (805) 963-1433, or by email to either jleeATcadasbDOTorg or tsegoviaATcadasbDOTorg. If faxing, please include a cover sheet.

Program Goals

Contact Us

For more information about the Fighting Back Mentor Program or to become a mentor, please contact us by phone at 805-963-1433 or by email at mentorprogram@cadasb.org.

"Business Partners in Mentoring"

Farmers' West Flowers & Bouquets, Inc.

McCarthy Building CompanyVenoco, Inc.

A “Business Partner in Mentoring” is a business that promotes mentoring by allowing their employees a paid one hour per week for mentoring purposes. We would love to make a presentation to your employees on this volunteer opportunity!

Please contact Juliana Lee at 963-1433 Ext. 113 for more information on this opportunity.